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(11) | EP 0 701 228 A3 |
(12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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(54) | Method and apparatus for counting flat sheets |
(57) A method and apparatus for counting flat sheets (12) of specularly reflective material
juxtaposed in side by side relationship including a source (20) of a parallel, collimated,
beam of light (22) adapted for movement to shine on a finite point across sides (14)
of a plurality of flat sheets (12) at a shallow, acute angle of incidence relative
to the sides of the flat sheets such that the beam of light (22) is specularly reflected
from the sides (14) of the flat sheets (12) except at one terminal edge (16) of each
side (14) of the flat sheets (12) where the beam of light (22) is diffusely reflected,
a sensor (26) for sensing light diffusely reflected from the terminal edge (16) of
each of the flat sheets (12) and generating an output signal in response to the intensity
of the diffusely reflected light, and a microprocessor (28) receiving the output signal
from the sensor (26) and generating a numerical count of the flat sheets (12) over
which the beam of light (22) has been moved. |